Chapter 7 #2
Conversations continued to flow, quick and chaotic, and Darcy could not keep up, as the topics had turned by the time he thought of something to say. His stomach knotted in frustration with the inability to participate.
Finally, a bell signalled curtain time, dispersing the crowds to seek their seats. Darcy sighed in relief as space opened up around them. Seeing his parents and the Gardiners move in the direction of the stairs, he offered his arm, “Miss Bennet, may I escort you?”
“I… thank you,” he barely felt the hand she laid on his arm, her touch was so light. Clearing his throat, he rasped, “You look enchanting tonight, Miss Bennet.”
“You are too kind, sir.”
“My sister sends her regards. She wished she could have attended with us.”
“Missing entertainment due to one’s young age is disappointing, to be sure. She shall have her share of it soon enough.”
“I told her it will give her something to look forward to aside from balls.” His pride at escorting the enchanting creature on his arm was clear to see. His chin tipped up and his chest pushed out. If he were a peacock, his tail feathers would be standing at attention.
Reaching the Darcy box, Lady Anne suggested the ladies sit in the front row, with the gentlemen seated behind.
Just a portion of Elizabeth’s face was visible to Darcy in the dim light, but it was enough to witness her animated expressions as she watched. Her focus never drifted from the action on the stage.
Their party remained together during the first intermission, as no one desired refreshments. Elizabeth had fervently hoped Darcy would keep his distance, but it was not to be. She saw him approach with a haughty air of condescension. “Is this your first time seeing a play at this theatre?”
“No. I have been here before with my relations.”
“Oh? What other performances have you attended?”
“My mind is too full of this play to recall others I have seen before.” Her eyes glittered as she continued, “I am fortunate my aunt and uncle are such wonderful, kind, and generous people. They wish to bring me joy whenever I visit.” Her voice grew louder and she met his eye in challenge.
“Miss Bennet, I must–”
“Elizabeth.” Mr Gardiner’s voice caught her attention. “Please join me.”
Elizabeth gave a shallow curtsey to Darcy and moved to stand at her uncle’s side. He placed a calming hand on her shoulder, “Are you well, Lizzy?”
“I am. I–” she huffed. “Forgive me. My temper overcame me.”
“No harm done, my dear. But we shall speak of this later.” He gave her a final pat on her shoulder.
Lady Anne noticed her son had made Elizabeth uncomfortable and pulled him aside. “I thought I asked you to leave her be. Why do you not visit some of your friends in their boxes?”
“I wish to speak with Miss Bennet.”
“I am afraid the young lady does not like you, my dear.”
“All the ladies like me.”
His mother raised her brows giving him a cool look. “If you say so, but do not say I did not warn you.”
At the next break, Mr Darcy and Mr Gardiner went to get refreshments for their ladies. Darcy remained behind and approached Elizabeth, “How are you enjoying the evening so far, Miss Bennet?”
“The play is wonderful.” Elizabeth was too enthralled by the drama taking place on the stage, to recall her irritation.
“The actors are very talented. Is Macbeth one you have seen before?”
“It is not, as I prefer Shakespeare’s comedies. I have read Macbeth, and do not repine seeing it performed on stage.”
“You have read it? That is remarkable.”
She tipped her chin up, “Remarkable, sir? That I can read? I assure you I can do my sums, too.” Elizabeth raised an eyebrow, “It is quite astounding what one can learn when they put their mind to it.” She held his gaze a moment longer, “Excuse me, my aunt is beckoning.”
Darcy kicked himself over his ridiculous comment, but he was delighted by her teasing manner. Miss Bennet was no simpering miss.
Darcy was surprised when Nicholas Vernon was showed in to the box, “Vernon, how are you, old man? What do you do here?”
“I am better than well. Yourself?” Before Darcy could reply, Vernon had turned toward the women. “Excuse me, Darcy. I wish to pay my respects to the Gardiners and Miss Bennet.”
“Whatever for?” Darcy was chagrined.
“Are you blind, man?” Vernon grinned. “Miss Bennet is a delight and she is staying at the Gardiner home.”
Vernon presented himself to the ladies and bowed. “Ladies, Miss Bennet, well met.” He took Elizabeth’s hand and bowed over it as she curtseyed.
“Good evening, Mr Vernon. How are you this evening?”
“I am very well, Miss Bennet. Especially now that my eyes are feasting on your beautiful countenance.” Elizabeth slowly shook her head at him, and he grinned back.
“I could ask how you are enjoying the play, but I confess once I spied you in the Darcy box I watched you as much as I did the stage. I therefore have a good inkling of your enjoyment. What else might we discuss instead? Poetry or art, perhaps?”
“Poetry or art?” Lizzy chuckled. “Nay, sir. We must be fashionable, if perhaps completely dull, and discuss the weather.”
“Goodness, no.” He tilted his nose high into the air. “Anything but the weather.”
Elizabeth laughed, “As you wish, art it shall be. Have you been to the British Museum recently?”
“I have, though perhaps not quite so recently.”
“I have visited in the past, of course. We saw the Natural History section. My younger self was fascinated by the flowers and small animals.” Elizabeth glanced toward her aunt, “I am now curious to see the Egyptian artefacts and antiquities. I read about them in the newspaper, and the exhibit sounds fascinating.”
Mrs Gardiner had been listening to their conversation, “Lizzy, you did not mention it.”
“We have been so busy Aunt, and I saw the notice just the other day. However, I shall compile a list of everything I wish to see and do during my visit. It will keep you and Uncle so busy, you shall beg for a respite.”
Mrs Gardiner laughed, looping her arm through Elizabeth’s, “You know how fond I am of lists.” Turning toward Mr Vernon she whispered loudly, “We do like to spoil our niece when she visits.”
Mr Vernon gave her a brief bow “I am not surprised. Your niece is worthy of being spoiled.”
“Careful, Aunt. I might become too full of my own consequence and start demanding more than my due.”
Mrs Gardiner tapped her fan lightly on Elizabeth’s arm. Elizabeth’s laughter floated around the theatre in bell-like tones. “That, my dear Lizzy, will never happen.”
A frustrated Darcy watched Miss Bennet converse and laugh with Vernon until the end of intermission. It was the oddest thing. She always seemed to move away from him when he approached. No other opportunities for them to converse arose before the end of the evening.